NOTW Scotland editor Bob Bird charged over Tommy Sheridan trial

Bob Bird, the former editor of News of the World Scotland, has been charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice in connection with the perjury trial of ex-MSP Tommy Sheridan.

He was charged after being arrested at his Glasgow home by detectives from Strathclyde police’s Operation Rubicon, which is investigating claims of phone hacking and the 2006 defamation action by Mr Sheridan.

Bob Bird has been arrested and charged (Picture: PA)

‘Officers from Operation Rubicon of Strathclyde police arrested and charged a 56-year-old man with attempting to pervert the course of justice at the time of the defamation action of Thomas Sheridan versus News Groups Newspapers,’ a statement from the force said.

‘A report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal in Glasgow. Proceedings are now active and it would be inappropriate for us to comment any further.’

Former socialist MSP Mr Sheridan was awarded £200,000 in damages after winning his civil case against the Sunday tabloid at Edinburgh’s Court of Session in 2006.

But he was jailed in January 2011 for three years, eventually serving one, when he was found guilty of lying about the tabloid’s claims he was an adulterer who visited a swingers’ club.

His 12-week perjury trial at Glasgow’s High Court was one of the longest of its kind in Scottish legal history.

Mr Bird gave evidence at both the 2006 hearing and the 2011 perjury trial.

Speaking after he was charged, Mr Bird said: ‘I just want to say I’m really sad and disappointed that things have come to this today.

‘I have always tried to do the right thing throughout my 30, 40-odd years in journalism and I will be denying the charge that has been made against me today. On legal advice, I can’t say any more at the moment.’

Earlier this month, a former news editor at the defunct tabloid was arrested and charged with committing perjury during the latter trial and conspiracy to hack telephones.